Shloka 98

वासिष्ठकथनम् (आदित्य–सोमवंशवर्णनम् तथा रुद्रसहस्रनाम-प्रशंसा)

Devanagari script

भगहारी नियन्ता च कालो लोकपितामहः चतुर्मुखो महालिङ्गश् चारुलिङ्गस्तथैव च

Transliteration

bhagahārī niyantā ca kālo lokapitāmahaḥ caturmukho mahāliṅgaś cāruliṅgastathaiva ca

Translation

He is the Seizer of all lordly powers, the Supreme Regulator. He is Kāla—Time itself—the Pitāmaha, Grandfather of the worlds. He is the Four-faced One; He is the Mahā-Liṅga, and likewise the Beautiful Liṅga.

Word by Word

• भगहारी: remover/seizer of bhaga (sovereignty, fortune, lordly powers)

• नियन्ता: controller, regulator (Pati who governs pashu and pasha)

• कालः: Time, the cosmic dissolver

• लोकपितामहः: grandfather of the worlds, primordial progenitor

• चतुर्मुखः: four-faced (alluding to Brahma-form assumed/contained by Shiva)

• महालिङ्गः: the Great Linga, supreme sign of Pati

• चारुलिङ्गः: the beautiful/auspicious Linga

• तथैव: and likewise/also

• च: and

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s names to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Brahma

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It identifies the Linga not as a mere emblem but as Pati Himself—Mahalinga and Charulinga—worthy of worship as the supreme regulator who grants and withdraws all powers and fortunes.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Shiva is presented as Niyanta (the governor of cosmic order), Kala (the power of time that ripens karma and dissolves worlds), and the source-ground of creation (Lokapitamaha), indicating His transcendence and immanence as Pati.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse supports Linga-upasana within Pashupata orientation: meditating on Shiva as Kala and Niyanta during puja/japa to loosen pasha (bondage) and align the pashu (soul) to the rule of Pati.